However, frigid temperatures can lead to exterior radon exhaust freeze-ups, causing your radon system to stop working, and elevating the radon levels in your home. Check out the video here. Every winter we get calls from concerned homeowners asking why their radon alarms are going off.
Will my radon system freeze over in the winter?
Our cold Wisconsin winters can cause radon systems with covers to freeze over, because it collects on the mesh. What else can be done to prevent an ice clog on my radon mitigation system?
How does the pipe on my radon system freeze?
How does the pipe on my radon system freeze? In the winter months, your radon system draws warm damp air from under your basements concrete slab or crawlspace liner. When the warm air meets the cold winter air it condensates. This condensation cannot be avoided.
How does radon affect my home’s radon system?
In the winter months, your radon system draws warm damp air from under your basements concrete slab or crawlspace liner. When the warm air meets the cold winter air it condensates. This condensation cannot be avoided. The condensation at the end of your radon system’s PVC pipe creates ice buildup in colder weather.
Can radon condensation be avoided?
This condensation cannot be avoided. The condensation at the end of your radon system’s PVC pipe creates ice buildup in colder weather. With extended temperatures below freezing, it is only a matter of time before enough ice builds up and clogs your radon system.
How do you keep radon pipes from freezing?
What can be done to prevent freezing radon system vent pipes?Do not use uninsulated gutter downspout for your vent pipe. ... Keep the vent pipe as short as possible. ... Drain the condensation below the fan. ... Heating the pipe with an electrical warming coil. ... Wait for it to thaw.More items...•
Should radon pipe be insulated?
Research shows that closed-cell spray foam insulation creates a highly effective barrier against radon gas in both new and remodeled homes. More than half of the United States has a problem with invisible radon gas in buildings.
Is radon worse in cold weather?
Since radon levels are likely to be higher during the winter you can expect the level to not rise much higher during the rest of the year. You are also most vulnerable to radon during the winter since you will be inside for much of it and breathing the same reheated, recirculated air.
Does snow affect radon levels?
Snow acts as a blanket for the ground, preventing radon from seeping out and trapping the gas underneath. That radon tries to escape the soil, and the easiest way to do so when a lot of snow is blocking the way is through our homes. The frozen soil also makes radon's escape from under the ground much harder.
Do radon fans use a lot of electricity?
RadonAway radon fans cost only pennies a day to operate. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, a typical U.S. household consumes about 11,000 kwh per year, costing an average of $1,034 annually (at $0.094 per kwh).
Should my radon fan run constantly?
Frequently Asked Questions About Radon Fans and Radon Mitigation Systems. Does a Radon Fan Run Continuously? Radon fans run continuously and should stay on. It's important to remember radon fans create a negative pressure underneath the sub slab of your home.
What month has highest radon?
The reason that radon levels in the home can be higher in the summer and winter is two-fold. During the winter, the air in your home tends to be much warmer than the outside air, and this temperature difference creates a vacuum within your home.
Does running the furnace increase radon?
Winter is a good time to test for radon because you are, in-most cases, measuring the worst case scenario for your home. With the hatches battened down and the furnace running, you are creating a scenario that can cause radon levels to be higher.
What time of year are radon levels highest?
winterIndoor radon levels are normally at the highest in the winter or colder months because of the thermal stack effect, a snowy barrier, and tightly sealed homes. Cold temperatures increase the pressure within the home, meaning more air is being pulled in from the ground, which elevates the risk of radon entering the home.
Does opening windows reduce radon?
As a temporary solution, however, you can reduce radon levels simply by opening windows. Opening windows improves air circulation and ventilation, helping move radon out of the house and mixing radon-free outside air with indoor air. Make sure all your basement windows are open.
What causes false radon readings?
Conclusion. Many factors can give either a false negative or a false positive when conducting a radon test. High winds, barometric pressures, temperature, rain, and your home's construction all play a role in radon readings.
Does running furnace fan reduce radon?
In many homes, blowing air in through an existing central furnace is quite practical. The use of an exhaust fan to pull air out of the house may decease the interior air pressure and draw more radon inside.
What kind of pipe is used for radon?
PVC pipeTypically 3" pipe or 4" pipe is used for radon mitigation systems. The EPA radon mitigation standards require the PVC pipe be schedule 40. This is due in part to the schedule 40 pipe being more rigid, and sound absorbent. 3" pvc pipe is often used for systems that require a higher suction.
Can you cover a radon pipe?
To conceal your radon pipe, all you have to do is get a plastic pipe cover, measure and cut it, make holes in your ceiling, and create an exit route.
Can radon vent pipe run horizontally?
If it terminates less than 10 feet horizontal distance below a window it could be a potential safety hazard. If it terminates less than 10 feet horizontal distance below a ventilated soffit or other air vent it could be a potential safety hazard.
Where should radon pipe be placed?
EPA's Radon Mitigation Standards require vent discharge points to be above the roofline, and no less than 10 feet sideways or 2 feet above any windows or vents.
How Do You Prevent Radon Exhaust Freeze ups?
We’re all too familiar with the challenges that Midwest winters can bring but did you know they can also lead to exterior radon exhaust freeze-ups?
Radon Exhaust Freeze Up Experiment
As an experiment, we ran a temporary heat cable down the exhaust pipes of two different mitigation systems to see if it would help prevent ice buildup.
Radon Exhaust Freeze Up Solution
Once we knew that heat cable would work to keep the system operational in cold weather, we developed a more permanent solution. We now install a self-regulating heat cable that adjusts with how cold it is outside. As temperatures drop, the cable puts out more power and more heat.
Why does my radon vent freeze?
What causes radon vent pipes to freeze? The issue of radon mitigation systems temporarily clogging due to ice forming on the vent pipe of the radon fan is very common in cold weather climates. The very nature of a radon system pulling damp air from under structural concrete slabs and crawlspace liners creates this issue.
What can be done to prevent freezing radon system vent pipes?
The first recommendation we have for preventing vent pipe ice jams is removing, or not installing, varmint guards, vent covers, critter guards, or exhaust caps . These are natural places for ice to start forming from the condensation collecting on these products. We recommend letting the air flow freely up out of the vent pipe. Since air is flowing out of the systems varmints and debris have a hard time entering the system, although certainly possible. The benefits of a system not freezing outweigh the downsides for most people.
How does radon condensation work?
Directly above the radon fan it is typical to have condensation form and actually drip back down through the fan into the pipe below the radon fan. The fan running continuously transfers that liquid condensation back into moisture vapor and sends the moisture back up the vent pipe. However, the condensation inside the vent pipe cannot be avoided, regardless of the weather. Condensation drip is a larger problem if the radon contractor used gutter downspout for the vent pipe, versus 40 gauge PVC pipe, since most downspout is not insulated.
How does radon travel into a home?
Radon mitigation systems operate continuously actively drawing radon gas from under concrete slabs, sump pit basins, and crawlspace liners. Moisture vapor and other soil gases also travel up through a radon system, since they both are present in the soil. There are many benefits to radon system pulling the moisture vapor and soil gases out from under a building, like lower relative humidity, reduced odors, and cleaner air. The only downside of a radon system drawing out moisture vapor is the potential for ice jabs in cold winter months.
What are the benefits of a radon filter?
Other benefits of this type of filter are reduced dust, allergens, chemicals, viruses, and odors in your air. Again, keep in mind you Radon levels will not be impacted, just your Radon Decay Product levels. Filtering and removal of Radon Decay Product will greatly reduce your risks of radon induced lung cancer.
How to filter radon?
The first key to filtering Radon Decay Product is installing a MERV 13, or better, filter in your air handler (i.e. furnace). The second key is circulating air consistently in the home. If air is not circulating then it is not being filtered. Thus, the Radon Decay Product will be present. Other benefits of this type of filter are reduced dust, allergens, chemicals, viruses, and odors in your air. Again, keep in mind you Radon levels will not be impacted, just your Radon Decay Product levels. Filtering and removal of Radon Decay Product will greatly reduce your risks of radon induced lung cancer.
Can condensation form in a pipe?
The condensation inside the pipe can then change forms into ice if the temperature is below freezing consistently. It’s quite common in northern United State and Canada. It’s also more common on long vent pipe runs (over 10 feet) or with metal downspout vent pipes, as stated earlier.
Should I buy a home with radon?
Should I buy a home with radon? If you’ve found the perfect home for your growing family, and the radon test fails, don’t panic! Take a few moments to learn about radon and the dangers it poses. Radon gas is a radioactive gas that comes naturally from the earth, not from a chemical or problem with the home itself.
Does the manometer (referred to as the U-shaped tube) tell me what my radon levels are?
Does the manometer (referred to as the U-shaped tube) tell me what my radon levels are? No, the u-tube measures pressure within the system, or how hard the fan is working. The only way to get an indoor radon level is to perform a radon test.
My basement tested elevated, but my crawl space did not. Can I only mitigate the basement?
My basement tested elevated, but my crawl space did not. Can I only mitigate the basement? No. IEMA (Illinois Emergency Management Agency) code states ~ If any foundation of a home test is elevated, then all accessible foundations must be treated. Why??? All foundations in contact with the soil contribute to the overall radon levels of a home.
Can I seal up cracks in my basement and sump lid to keep the radon gas out?
Can I seal up cracks in my basement and sump lid to keep the radon gas out? Although crack sealing is considered to be a passive radon technique, IEMA along with the EPA no longer endorse crack sealing exclusively as it is met with very limited success.
Can a radon system freeze up during cold temperatures?
Can a radon system freeze up during cold temperatures? Yes, at least on a temporary basis. The systems function very well until extreme cold sets in and/or about 20 degrees Fahrenheit, along with consecutive days of extreme weather.
My house has been closed up for an extended amount of time. Is this why my home tested high for radon?
My house has been closed up for an extended amount of time. Is this why my home tested high for radon? No. Your home actually exchanges its own air several times daily. This happens through natural convection along with the operation of your HVAC system. Therefore, occupants of a home or lack thereof, are not the reason a home test is elevated.
Do you provide radon mitigation in my community?
Do you provide radon mitigation in my community? We’re a locally owned and operated Radon business based out of Oswego, but we proudly serve Kendall, Kane, Will, and DuPage counties. See our radon service area.
IS IT COLD OUTSIDE?
U-tubes reading zero during cold periods is an unfortunate but common occurrence with outside radon mitigation systems. Radon systems remove moisture from the soil below the home in the process of removing radon.
Your fan could be burned out
If it is a warm sunny day and the U-tube manometer is equal, then it is possible that the fan has burned out. There are a few things to check prior to calling you can do to troubleshoot the system.
Step One
Make sure the the plastic tube is inserted in the top of the manometer and in the pipe.
Step Two
Make sure the breaker is in the on position and hasn’t tripped. The breaker number should be labeled on an oval sticker on the panel door.
Step Three
If the fan is mounted on the outside of the home, makes sure the switch is in the on position. Sometimes the switch can accidentally be turned off.
Step Four
If all of the steps are complete and the gauge is still even, then call for service.
Why are radon pipes dangerous?
And because the pipes are within the walls of your home, they can be potential fire hazards. Lastly, internal radon mitigation equipment requires more piping with more sharp bends. Each bend results in more restricted airflow and less efficiency in allowing radon gases to escape from your home.
Why do we need internal radon mitigation?
The main benefit of an internal radon remediation setup is that it is overall more aesthetically pleasing. You don’t have any exposed pipes on the outside of your home, and the pipes simple exit through a small hole in the roof.
Can you install radon mitigation in a condo?
If you live in a townhome , apartment, or condominium complex, it could be more difficult to get a radon mitigation system installed. We wrote earlier about an instance where a Stapleton resident was denied permission to install a radon mitigation system by her Homeowner’s Association. Regardless of which radon mitigation system you choose to install, you’ll have to jump through some hoops to get approval and to make sure everything is completed up to code.
Is radon mitigation system external?
In light of all the extra complications that installing an internal radon mitigation system involves, many customers opt for an external radon removal system. These systems, while not as outwardly pleasing to the eye, provide a host of benefits (and honestly, they aren’t that distracting from your home’s facade). They are easily serviced since all parts are readily accessible. They require fewer sharp bands and are therefore more efficient in letting of radon gases. And the external radon remediation equipment is much less invasive, and won’t have to be run through your garage, closets, or bedrooms.
Do radon remediation systems need to be run through garages?
And the external radon remediation equipment is much less invasive, and won’t have to be run through your garage, closets, or bedrooms.
Is radon mitigation more common in exterior or interior?
Exterior radon mitigations are far more common than interior ones, but it’s still useful to understand the pros and cons of each so as to better make a decision for your home and personal needs.
How to lower radon levels in home?
There are several methods that a contractor can use to lower radon levels in your home. Some techniques prevent radon from entering your home while others reduce radon levels after it has entered. EPA generally recommends methods which prevent the entry of radon. Soil suction, for example, prevents radon from entering your home by drawing the radon from below the house and venting it through a pipe, or pipes, to the air above the house where it is quickly diluted.
Do radon reduction systems need maintenance?
Similar to a furnace or chimney, radon reduction systems need some occasional maintenance. You should look at your warning device on a regular basis to make sure the system is working correctly.
